Valve.



L. SGHUTTE.

VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

L. SGHUTTE.

VALVE.

APPLICATION rmzn JULY 7, 1904.

1,031,294, Patented July 2, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS SCHUTTE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR '10 SOHUTTE AND KOERTING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

VALVE.

1,031,294. specification letterslatent- Patented .Jul 'a, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS Somrrrn, a citizen of the United States of America, residing-in the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Valves, of which the following is a true and exact description, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, whic form a part thereof. I Y

My invention relates to valve construction, and has for its object to provide a valve which, when closed, will be held to its seat by the pressure of the fluid on its high pressure side and which, at the same time, can be opened with the application of but a small amount of power, and which can be closed by the simple release of a latch.

My improved valve involves the use of a pilot valve and the secondary object of my invention is to provide means for holding the pilot valve in open position when the main valve is also open, thus avoiding variations in pressure in the chamber con,- trolled by the pilot valve with consequent movement or chattering of the main valve.

The nature of my improvements will be best understood as described in connection with the drawings in which Figure 1, IS a sectional elevation of a valve embodying my improvements in what tion with different devices for actuating the release latch. a 7 V A, is the "alve casing, A indicating the high pressure and A the low pressure chambers therein. z

A indicates an opening through the top of the easing into the high pressure chamber, and A a smaller opening through the bottom of the casing into the low pressure chamber.

B is the valve seat through which the chambers A and A connect.

C is a hollow cylinder secured in the opening A as shown, and lyin immediately over the valve seat B,-the diameter of the chamber in the cylinder being substantially equal to that of the valve which operates in connection with the valve seat B.

D is the cover which is secured over the opening A and which is formed, as shown,

and a guideway D situated immediately above the same for purposes to be explained. The cover also supports two brackets in which pivot pins D and D are mounted and has formed in it the port I) which leads from the top of the chamber in the cylinder C of the casing, and with the connecting passage C in the wall of the cylinder C, establishes a restricted communication between the chamber in cylinder C and the high pressure chamber A.

E indicates a regulating screw'by which the effective area of the port D can be conveniently adjusted.

The main valve F is formed. or provided with a piston extension F working in the chamber .of cylinder 0. The valve is also formed, as shown, with a downwardly extending cent-rally perforated'guide rod F, which is guided in a. guideway B secured by radial arms to the valve seat B. The valve, as shown, is formed with a centrally located port F F leading through the piston and valve to the low pressure chamber A the upper portion F of the port being adapted to serve as a seat for the pilot valve. Above this port is situated a small hollow cylinder F, with removable cover F. A port F leads from the lower end of the chamber in the cylinder F to the chamber A and a port F leads from its upper end to the chamber into the cylinder 0.

F indicates a leak port communicating through the walls of the valve with the chamber in the cylinder C.

suitable G is the ilot valve adapted to seat itself on the seat and havin connected with it the piston G Gr indicatlng a gland screwing into the top of the piston G as shown, and serving to hold the valve rod in place. From the bottom of the pilot valve G, and

through the perforated spindle F extends the valve spindle G to the lower end of which is attached the plunger piston H,.

for turning the threaded rod. A sliding part K moves in the ideway D and is here shown as centra ly perforated and threaded as indicated at K, to. receive the threaded portion J 2 of the valve rod by lugs and a pin. The sliding part K is pivotally connected with the lever L, which is connected with'the ivet pin D through a link M, and has attac ed to it at L, the sleeve N, formed with a projecting latch finger N and sliding on a rod 0,. ivotall connected with the head of the casing at 4 and having pivotally attached to its upper end the latch P, which through a rod Q can be connected, see Figs. 2, 3 and 4, with various de- 15. vices for actuating the latch. Thus -in Fig.

2 the rod Q is connected with a piston rod R the iston B of which, formed with a restricte perforation R moves in a hollow cylinder R. Into the bottom of the cylinder R leads a pressure pipe R, while from the top of the cylinder leads an outlet pipe R having in it a valve R. In the construction of Fig. 3, the rod Q is attached to a lever arm S? ivotedon a bracket S and mov- I ing with a ever arm S to which is attached electric switch bars S constituting part of an electric switch S, S indicating the magnet while S indicates the handle for o erating the switch. In the construction 0 Fig.

4, the rod Q is shown as directlyattached to and actuated by a ball governor T.

In operation, it will be seen that when the valve F is closed, as shown in Fig., 1, the pressure of thefluid in chamber A will be communicated to the interior of the cylinder 0 through ports D and F" and also to some degree through the space between the cylin- I der'O and the piston F It will also be seen that in this position the pressure of chamber 40 A is communicated to the bottom of .the chamber in the cylinder F through port F and the same pressure is communicated to the top of the chamber through port F The exposed area of the upper end of the piston G being greater than that of its lower end, the valve G will be held to its seat by v the excess pressure. The sliding sleeve K is normally raised, as shown in Fig. 1, and held in'its raised position by the engagement of the-detent P of the latch P with the lug N 1 The operator desiring to open the valve F turns the hand wheel J 3 in a direction to raise the spindle J. The first effect of this is to lift the pilot valve G from its seat, permitting the escape of the pressure fluid from the chamber in the cylinder G into the low pressure side of the casing, under which condition the valve F and its cylinder F are practically balanced. A further upward movement of'the spindle J opens the valve I F with but little exertion. It will also be seen that as soon as the pressure is removed from the top of the piston G the high pressure of the compartment A being stillmaintained below the piston, the pilot valve G will be kept away from its seat F by the resilient cushion between the pilot and main valves provided by the pressure of the fluid in the hollow cyllnder 'F below'the piston G so that any movement of the pilot valve will cause an exactly similar movement of the main valve F, The port F remains open until the valve F is again seated, whereupon the pressure will accumulate in the cylinder C, and the normal conditions existing when the valve'is closed, as already 1 described, will again be resumed. When it is desired to close the valve'promptly it is only necessary'to disengage the latch P, whereupon the weight of the valve and the parts connected thereto through the rod J will press it downward to its seat; but this action is made more positive and'the space occupied by the rod J compensated for by the attachment through the valve rod G of the iston H which always insures a downwar pull on the valve. -The action being first to bring the valve F to its seat, and

.-then to seat the pilot valve G, whereupon b the pressure fluid will enter the chamber in the c linder C through the ports D F and the o earance between the cylinder and piston so that the chamber in the cylinder soon 'acquiresthe full pressure of the cylinder A which, acting on the iston F holds the valve F to its seat, as' 0 course the pressure in the chamber A? rapidly falls as soon as the valve F is closed.

While of course any means'for releasing the latch and permitting the valve to close may be employed, the devices shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are especially well adapted for this purpose, thus, in Fig. 2, the valve B being closed thepressure fluid coming through conduitR" enters the bottom of the hollow cylinder R and passing through the, perforation R in the piston R fills the cylinder on both sides of the piston with fluid at thesame' pressure under which conditionv the piston will remain at the bottom and the latch P in engaging position. As soon as the 'valve R is opened, however, the fluid escapes from the upper part ofthe cylinder R and the passage R being a restricted one, the pressure in the lower party of the cylinder raises the piston and releases the latch. In the construction of Fig. 3 the latch will remam in engaging position as long as the switch is closed. As soon as the switch is' opened the lever S is raised and the latch P disengaged. In the construction of Fig. '4, the latch P is directly connectedto a ball governorand in such a way as to be disen-- gaged when the speed of the governor rises above-a determined point.

It will be observed that the members L and M form a linked connection between the valve casing and the sliding nut K. This connection, when held rigid by the latch 1 ,130

forces then effective to .close the valve..

These, in the particular form of valve mechanism disclosed, comprise the weight of the valve and of the parts moving with it when the latch is tripped, and alsoa component due to the pressure of the fluid in the valve casing acting on the enlarged stem portion I or piston H. After the valve is closed in this manner and the trip latch P is returned to its normal locking position, the linked connection between the valve and casing may againbe locked in its rigid position by returning the sliding nut K to the position shown in Fig. 1. The returning movement of the nut may be brought about by apply- ,ing a lifting force to the free end of the lever L or through the screw adjustment, by rotating the hand wheel J in the valve closin direction.

aving now described my invention, what I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1 A valve structure comprising in combination a casing having a valve seat, a main valve adapted to be normally held against said seat by the fluid pressure in the casing, means adapted to equalize the pressure on both sides of said valve, a pilot .valve controlling the action of said means, an adjustable part, means supported by said adjustable part for successively opening and closing the pilot and main valves, a latch normally holding said adjustable part in fixed retracted position, and a latch releasing device, said valve structure including provisions for exerting a constantly acting force tending to shift said adjustable part in a direction to close the valves.

2. A valve structure comprising in combination, a casing having a valve seat, a main valve adapted to be normally held against said seat by the fluid pressure in the casing, said valve having a port formed through it, means including a pilot valve controlling the opening and closing of the port in the main valve adapted to equalize the pressure on both sides of the valve, an adjustable part, means supported by said adjustable part for opening and closing the pilot, and main valve, a latch normally holding said adjustable part in fixed retracted position, and a latch releasing device, said valve structure including provisions for exerting a constantly acting force tending to shift said adjustable part in a direction to close the valves.

3. Avalve structure comprising in combination, a casing having a valve seat, a main valve adapted to be normally held against said seat by fluid pressure in the casing, said valve havin a port formed through it, means including a pilot valve controlling the opening and closing of the port in. the main valve adapted to equalize t e pressure on both sides of the valve, means connecting the main and pilot valves so that the latter 7 may move the former, said means being arranged -to permit the pilot valve tomove relatively to the main valve to uncover the port in the main valve, an adjustable part, means supported by said adjustable art for successively opening and'elosing t e pilot and main valves, a catch normally holding said adjustable part in fixed retracted position and a latch releasing device, said valve structure includingprovisions for exerting a constantly acting force tending to move said adjustable part in a direction to close the valves.

4. A valve structure comprising in combination, a casing having a valve seated port and a chamber in line with the port and of a diameter approximately that of the port,

a valve adapted to close said port, a piston connected to the valve and adapted to move in said chamber, said valve being formed with a port connecting said chamber with the outlet side of the casing, a pilot valve adapted to open and close said last mentioned port, an adjustable part, means supported thereon for opening and closing the valve, a latch for holding said adjustable part in retracted position, and a latch releasing device for setting said means in operation, said valve structure including provisions for exerting a constantly acting force tending to move said p'art in'a direction to close the valves.

5. A valve structure comprising in combination, a casing having a valve seated port 13, and having a hollow cylinder C situated above it, a main valve F with'a connected piston F, the latter being movable in cylinder C, a pilot valve arranged to act on a port connecting cylinder C with the exit side of the casing, an adjustable part, means supported thereon for opening and closing the valves, a latch for holding the adjustable part in upper position, said valve structure including provisions for subjecting the main and pilot valves to a constantly acting force tending to close them, and means for releasing said latch to permit said constantly acting force to depress the said adjustable part and close the valves.

6. A valve structure comprising in combination a valve casing having a valve seated port B, and a hollow cylinder C situated above it, a main valve F with a connected piston F, the latter being movable in cylinder C, said valve and piston having a valve seated port connecting the interior of cylinder C with the outlet side of the casing, a pilot valve arranged to seat on said valve seated port in the main valve, means conmeeting the pilot valve to the main-valve so that when the pilot valve'is raised a short distance above its seat it engages and lifts the main valve, a valve i od connected to the pilot valve, a movable part to which the valve rod is adjustably connected so as to open and close the valves when said movable part is stationary, means for latching the -'movable part in retracted position, and

' B, and ahollow cylinder C situated above it,

a main valve F with a connected piston F,

- the latter being movable in said cylinder C, said valve and piston having a valve seated 4 is released.

port connecting the cylinder C with the outlet side of the casing, a pilot valve arranged to seat on said valve seated portin the main valve, means connecting the pilot and the main valves so that the latter is engaged and lifted when the pilot valve is ralsed a short distance above its seat, means adapted to provide a resilient cushion tending to hold the pilot valve-away from its seat when said valve and the main valve are lifted, a valve rod connected to the pilot valve, a movable part to which the rod is adjustably connected so as to open and close the valves when said movable part is stationary, means for latching the movable part in a retracted position and means for releasing the latch, said valve structure including provisions for exerting a constantly i acting force tending to draw down'the 'movable part and close the pilot and mainvalves when said latch 8. A valve structure comprising in combination, a casing having a valve seated port B and hollow cylinder O situated above it,-

a main valve F with a connected piston F, the latter being movable in said cylinder C, said valve and piston having a valve seated port connecting said cylinder C with the outlet side of the'casing, a pilot valve arranged to seat on said valve seated port .in the main valve, means connecting the pilot and main valves so that the latter is engaged and lifted when the pilot valve is raised a short distance above 1ts seat, means adapted to provide a resilient cushion tending to hold the pilot valve away from its seat when said valve and the main valve are lifted, a valve rod connected to the pilot valve, a movable part to which the rod is adjustably connected-so as to open and close the valves when said movable part is .stationary, means for latching the movable mamas part in r tracted position, means for releasing said latch, a holloiv cylinder I situated beneath the main valve, and a piston working in said cylinder and connected to the pilot valve. wherebya constantly acting force is applied tending to close the valves when open. v

the pilot valve is raised a short distance above its seat, a hollow cylinder F secured to the main valve and having its interior connected at the upper end to said cylinder C and at the bottom tothe high pressure side of the casing, a piston G secured to the pilotvalve and working in said cylinder F sa'id cylinder and piston being adapted to hold the pilot valve away from its seat when .the pressure in said chamber falls to that of the low pressure side ofthe casing, avalverod connected to the pilot valve, a movable part to which the rod is adjust-ably connected so as to open and close the valves when said movable part is stationary, means for latching the movable part in retracted position, and means for releasing said" latch, said valve structure including provisions for exerting a constantly acting force tending to draw-down the movable part and close the pilot and main valves when said latch is released.

10. A valve structure comprising in combination, a casing having a port B connecting its high and low pressure sides and a hollow cylinder situated in line with said port on the high pressure side of the casing,

a main valve F arranged to open and close port B, and having a piston F working in said cylinder C, said piston and valve having a port F F connecting said cylinder C with the low pressure side of the casing, a pilot valve G, arranged to open and close the last mentioned port and when opened to engage and open 'the main valve, means adapted to provide a resilient cushion between the pilot and main valves when the pilot valve is ofi' its seat tending to hold the pilot valve away from its seat, and means for actuating the pildt valve and through it the main valve. C

11. A valve having in combination a casing having a port B connecting its-high and low pressure sides and a hollow cylinder C situated in line with'said port on the high pressure side of the casing, a main valve.

F arranged to open and close'port B, and

having a piston F attached to said valve and working in said cylinder, said piston,

and valve having a port F F connecting said cylinder C with the low pressure side 5 of the casing, a hollow cylinder F secured to the piston F and having ports connecting its'mterior with said chamber and with the hi h pressure side of the seeing, a ton G working in said cylinder F, a plot m'valve secured to said piston Qr, and means for opening and closing the p lot and main valves. I

' 12. A valve, mechanism comprising in combination a-valve casing member, a movable valve member and operating means for said valve member comprising cooperating nut and screw elements, one of which is attached to one of said members, a releasable connection between the other element and the other member, and means for releasing said connection, said mechanism including provisions for automatically moving said valve member to the closed position when said connection is released and said valve member being adapted to be opened wholly or partially and closed through said nut and screw when said connection is established 'and being free to close independently of the nut and screw whenever said connection is 30 released. l 13. A valve mechanism, comprising in combination a casing member, a movable valve memberv and o crating means for said valve member includmg' cooperating nut and screw elements one of which is attached to one of said members, a releasable connection between the other element and member, and governor controlled means for releasing said connection, said valve mechanism including provisions for automatically moving said valve member into its closed position when said connection is released and said valve .member being adapted to be opened' and closed slowly through said nut and screw elements when said connection is established and being free to close independently of the nut and screw elements when said connection is broken, said connection being adapted to be reestablished by the operation of I ,the nut and screw after the valve member has moved into the closed position.

14. A valve mechanism comprising in combination a valve casing, a movable valve, means for holding said valve in adjusted position comprising a screw adjustment and a rigid structure adapted to be collapsed, and means for releasing said structure to permit it to collapse, said valve being adapted to be opened wholly or partially and closed through said nut and screw when said structureis rigid and being free to close independently of said nut and screw whenever said structure is collapsed, and said valve mechanism including provisions for automatically moving said valve to its closed position when said structure is permitted to collapse.

through said screw adjustment, when said collapsible element is rigid and being free to close independently of said screwadjustment whenever said collapsible element is collapsed, and said valve mechanism including provisions for automatically movmg said valve into its closed position on the co lapse of said collapsible element.

16. A valve mechanism comprising in combination, a valve casing, a movable valve which is unbalanced and has a tendency to close, an operating stem therefor projecting through the casing and having an external threaded portion, a nut into which said threaded portion is screwed, a linked connection between said casing and nut comprising a pair of elements pivoted together and also plivoted one to the casing and the other to t e nut, said elements being adapted to be held rigid with respect to one another to permit the valve to be opened and closed by the operation of said nut and threaded valve stem portion and when released to permit the valve to close without the operation of the nut and threaded stem portion, and means for releasing said link elements.

17.- In a valve mechanism, the combination with the valve casing, of a movable valve which is unbalanced and has a tendency to close, an operating stem for said valve projecting through the casing wall and having an external threaded portion, a nut into which said threaded portion is screwed, a collagsible linked connection between the nut an casing comprising a pair of members pivotally connected together and also pivotally connected one to said casing and, the other to said nut, and means cotiperab' ing with said members for releasabl holding them against relative movement in posi: tion to serve as a strut permitting the operation of the valve by the relative rotation of said nut and threaded stem portion and means for releasing said members to permit the valve to close quickly without said relative rotation. i

18. A valve mechanism comprising in combination, a valve casing having a valve seated port, a main valve controlling said port and adapted to be held on its seat when closed by the fluid pressure in said casing, means for equalizing the fluid pressure acto be opened wholly or partially and closed I tion on said main valve including a pilot structure, a trip latch which when in looking position holds said structure in a rigid position, and when tripped permits said structure to collapse, and means for tripping said latch and tending when in normal position to hold said latch in its locking position, said valve mechanism including provisions for automatically moving said valve into its closed position when said structure is permitted to collapse whereby said screw adjustment may be employed to open and close the valve when said structure is held rigid andto relock said structure in its rigid posi tion after its collapse and the return of said latch tripping means to its normal position.

20. The combination with a speed governor of a valve mechanism, comprising a.

valve casing having a valve seated port, a valve controlling said port, means for holding said valve in adjusted position comprising a screw adjustment and a structure adapted to be held rigid to permit the operation of the valve by said screw adjustment and to collapse to permit the valve to close independently of said screw adjustment, said valve mechanism including provisions for automatically moving said valve to its closed position when said structure is permitted to collapse, and means set in operation b said governor for bringing about the col apse of said structure.

21. A valve mechanism comprising in said structure to combination a valve casing'havin'g a valve seated port, a vertically movable valve controlling said port and moving downward to close the latter, balancing provisions whereby t-he action of the fluid pressure in the casing on the two sides of the valve is substantially balanced when the valve is open a valve spindle connected to said valve an extending through the casing wall and having an external threaded portion, a nut into which the threaded ortion of said stem is screwed, means for ocking said nut in an elevated position, means for releasing said nut to permit the valve toclose quick y and means supplementing the action of gravity in bringing about the closing movement of the valve when said nut is released.

22. In a valve mechanism the combination with a valve casing having a valve seated port, a vertically movable valve memi her controlling said port and movin do'w'nward to close the latter, a vertical va ve stem connected to said valve and projecting through the valve casing and having a external threaded portion, a nut into w ich said threaded stem portion is screwed, guid ing provisions for said nut connected to said casing and ing movement 0 normally holding said nut in an elevated position, means adapted to supplement the permitting a vertical slidaction of gravity in forcing said valve to its seat when said latch is tripped, an emergency device, and operating means between it and the'latch through which the latter may betripped, said operating means tending to hold the latch in its locking position, whereby the nut maybe restored to and relatched in its normal position by the rotation of the valve spindle after the latch has been tripped and. the connections between the latch and the emergency device have been restoredjto their normal condi-' tion. a V LOUIS SCHUTTE.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. MYERS,

D; STEWART.

the nut, a pivoted latch 

